August 27, 2007

Mr. Gonzales's resignation is the latest in a series of high-level departures that has reshaped the end of Mr. Bush's second term. Karl Rove, another of Mr. Bush's close circle of aides from Texas, stepped down two weeks ago.

The official said that the decision was Mr. Gonzales's and that the president accepted it grudgingly. At the same time, the official acknowledged that the turmoil over his tenure as Attorney General had made continuing difficult.

"The unfair treatment that he's been on the receiving end of has been a distraction for the department," the official said.

57 comments:

Was on the NYT page when it posted. I think there will be great fun in comparing him to John Mitchell. This will make for great reading all day long...and Ann, you blog-scouped Drudge who hasn't posted it yet.

Almost by definition, right? The Senate is in recess until September 4th, and the President is "[em]power[ed] to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate." Unless one believes the AG's seat should be vacant seat until at least September 4, and lord knows how long after that while Senate Democrats play games, a recess appointment - ideally right now, certainly before lunchtime, because you watch to see the Dems race back to Washington to bring the Senate out of recess early - would seem the only rational choice.

This is all a Rovian plot--the bad guys are all leaving--D candidates will now have to turn on each other with even more ferocity. That Rove is an evil genius, I tell you. (as an aside, does anyone recall the last time this country had a decent AG?--has to be the most political office in the country other than the Presidency)

Roger - well, as Dahlia noted earlier this month, "the dustup over Gonzales is proving invaluable to Democrats.... The spectacle of Bush clinging desperately to an inept and untruthful AG is just about a campaign commercial in itself. ... The day Gonzales steps down is the day Democrats must hustle to find a new issue."

Re Chertoff - that's a great idea. That way, the dems can not only make the hearings a circus about everything that's been happening (and everything that's been alleged) in DoJ, they can drag Katrina and everything remotely related to it into the hearings. The slogan's "nominate Chertoff - because the dems don't have enough ammunition already."

Back in 2004, when there was the debate about whether conservatives should support George W. Bush for re-election, one argument given in favor of backing bush was the issue of U.S. Supreme Court justices. The counter-argument to that involved the possibility that a second-term President Bush would appoint Sandra Day O'Connor to be Chief Justice, and Gonzalez to the Court. I mentioned that, when the Court vacancies arose, two summers ago. At that time, many of us were concerned that Gonzo would get the nomination. I am glad that was not the case, though I was also opposed to his nomination as Attorney General, as were some other conservatives, one reason of which was his membership in La Raza. Whatever the reasons were, his service as AG has been disappointing... I don't when is the last time that our country had a good Attorney General.

P.S. If I hear one more fawning John Cornyn-type say that "its a shame" because "a good Christian man" or "a good family man" has been brought down by "Charles Schumer" (note to those of you watching at home: he's a JEW!) and that "this is a good day for the Democrat party, but a bad day for the country," I'm going to throw a brick at the tv.

Vicki Scotto Balachek would be a great choice. Similarly, Gus Contos is over qualified. Chertoff would be a massive disappointment. I'd rather he appoint his dog AG. Regardless, recess appointments are a blessing these days.

Who would be the Elliot Richardson of today? The straight-arrow whose integrity would assure that the misdeeds of the Gonzalez years -- both inside the DOJ and throughout the Bush Administration -- would be dealt with forthrightly. The equivalent to Robert Gates, who I think has been a welcome change at DOD and is increasingly seen as a nonpartisan figure.

The strongest move Bush could make would be to appoint someone who would do professionally what the Democratic House wants to do haphazardly -- drain the swamp.

I can see Gonzales doing tours at the Bush Library in his next position. Can you imagine the possibilities of that library...here it the torture room, here is the shredding of hapeas corpus, here is w's first and last coke spoon, here is the room of hating gays, here's is claude allen's video surveillance of him ripping off Target, here is brownie judging horsies. It will be one big marketing/pr bonanza of love and admiration for one of the most incompetent adminstrations in history.

That seems like an appropriate position for him..either that or I can see him being a Texas Supreme Court Judge-sounds like a good place for him.

As for bright lights from the past-Not as bright as RFK; not as able as John Mitchell Better than Harry M Daugherty – (and thank GOD that “W” did not appoint HIS own brother – or Harriet.)Aside from that, DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM

This was my favorite one. Imagine an entire separate room dedicated to hating gays.... I cannot wait to see what goes in there. Perhaps there will be numerous posts from Andrew Sullivan ranting about this or that....

It will be one big marketing/pr bonanza of love and admiration for one of the most incompetent adminstrations in history.

I would love to see your library Titus. Do you have a room displaying all of the Free Mumia placards you have held over the years.... or perhaps a new exhibition dedicated to the achievements of appeasement in history.

Almost exactly a month ago, Gonzales promised to clean up the department's image. Having suggested at the time that his prompt resignation would be a good start, I'm glad to see he finally figured it out.

As I've never defended him before, disagreed with most of his policy positions, and suggested he should resign long ago, I don't see any reason to start now. I realize it is convenient for you to pigeonhole people who refuse to play along with your juvenile behavior as right-wing enemies. You're wrong about that, but I can understand how your impaired mental capacity can prevent your understanding that idea.

Gonzales was in over his head. The Dems did W. and the nation a favor.

Bush could appoint a resurrected Jesus Christ as AG and all we'd hear from the Dems in Congress is how he associated with hookers, made booze without a ABC license, practiced medicine without a degree and anything else they could twist in order to destroy his reputation.

I think W should appoint Ted Kennedy. It would get him out of the Senate and I'd love to hear his drunken stutter during the forever-hearings until Bush leaves office.

Hey Lucky, try beating that "every Repub just LOVES AG Gonzo" strawman with a rattan stick, then set it on fire. You'll feel so much better.

your suggestions are noted. however, as long as president woowoo appoints someone who upholds the law and acts first and foremost on behalf of the citizens of the united states and not on behalf of the president and vice president's personal agendas i'll be fine with it. you should be too.

as to kennedy, i'd rather have a drinking irishman who loves this country and has spent a lifetime in its service than some political hackjob who is in it for the resume and serve the king.